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MANGALURU: The feedback from more than 75% of the participants in an online opinion poll, showed that people wanted the toll gate on the national highway near NITK, Surathkal, to be removed. The opinion poll initiated by the people of adjoining villages on the Google Forms platform, evoked an overwhelming response from more than 4,000 respondents in two days.

There are four options for the participants to choose from, which include:toll gate at NITK is illegal and should be removed; free movement for local four-wheel vehicles (KA 19/20); monthly pass for Rs 260/- is ok and toll collection is ok.

More than 75% of respondents have voted for the first option, demanding that the toll gate functioning near NITK be removed permanently. Meanwhile, 22% of respondents suggested that the four-wheelers of the residents in the locality, with KA-19/20 (registered with Mangaluru and Udupi RTOs) registration, should be allowed to move freely.

While some respondents suggest that monthly pass should be issued to daily commuters, a few are also are in favour of toll being collected at the place. People have been opposing the collection of toll at Surathkal, where at present local vehicles are exempted from toll payment. However, exemption will be discontinued after FASTag is made mandatory from Monday. Activist Yathish Baikampady, former CEO of Panambur Beach Development Project, said the online opinion poll regarding the toll gate will continue, till all people’s representatives react to the demand.

“The online opinion poll, which was launched on February 9, evoked a good response within two days. A majority of people have suggested that the toll gate should be removed. Our main demand is the toll gate functioning at Surathkal should beclosed. Hence, the opinion poll will be continued, and we expect at least 25,000 people to respond, so that people’s representatives will consider the matter seriously. We have also made an option for people to write in their suggestions too, in the opinion poll,” he added.

MP meets Gadkari Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel led a delegation of MPs from Karnataka and held a meeting with Union minister of road transport and highways in New Delhi on Thursday. In a release, Kateel said that he has urged the government to shut the NH tollgate at Surathkal. “The minister has directed the officials of National Highway Authority of India to immediately convene a meeting to discuss our demand on cancelling the tollgate at Surathkal,” he said.